Summary
Duck Duck Shed is an annual event that “allows attendees to peek behind the curtain and gain a better understanding” of Las Vegas through the eyes of local experts.
Sure, you may know Las Vegas has some cool casinos, lavish hotels, more than its fair share of A-list residencies, and throws one hell of a great pool party. However, this dynamic city offers far more than its dazzling façade.
Las Vegas History
Las Vegas is a city with a relatively short history that began in 1905 as a railroad stopover for those traveling between Los Angeles and Salt Lake City. Over the next century, it transformed into a glittering, neon-lined escape from reality, a place where sin thrives, and all your secrets stay a secret because, as the slogan goes, “What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.”
Even if you’ve never visited, Las Vegas feels familiar; it’s a place deeply embedded in our collective consciousness through movies, music, and art. The Neon Museum, a space dedicated to collecting, preserving, presenting, and interpreting Las Vegas history through its unique signage, aims to help everyone—from first-timers to Vegas die-hards—understand this sprawling 135-square-mile town a little better.
The Neon Museum
“I have the best job in the world,” Aaron Berger, the executive director of The Neon Museum, expressed. “It is the opportunity to tell the story of Las Vegas, the most unique city in the world.”
Duck Duck Shed Overview
To more thoroughly tell the story of Las Vegas, Berger created Duck Duck Shed, a citywide event celebrating the city’s architecture, culture, and design, happening from Oct. 4 to 7. This event stemmed from his desire to understand the city on a deeper level.
“As someone who’s a transplant to Las Vegas and has visited here every year since I was 18, I’ve had this love affair with the city and wanted to understand it better,” he shared.
Getting to know the city meant dissecting its layout to comprehend how the architecture shapes experiences and answering the question: “How do we design a city that is the entertainment capital of the world, and one that is America’s playground?”
This year’s Duck Duck Shed includes exhibitions showcasing a range of topics, including Debbie Reynolds’ impact on Las Vegas entertainment; a behind-the-scenes, on-stage experience with “O” by Cirque du Soleil; an intimate discussion with renowned architectural critic Christopher Hawthorne; and an in-depth look at Roger Thomas and Todd-Avery Lenahan, two of the visionary minds behind some of Las Vegas’ most iconic hotels and casinos.
“In a city known for rapid changes—building up and then blowing up—taking a moment to recognize the architectural, entertainment, and culinary achievements, along with the historic preservation of this extraordinary city, creates a unique experience for both visitors and locals,” Berger stated. “Las Vegas is designed to dazzle and even overwhelm you. Duck Duck Shed allows attendees to gain a better understanding of how and why this incredible city exists through the insights of those who know it best.”
Regarding the event’s name, Berger explained that in the book “Learning from Las Vegas,” buildings are characterized as either a “duck” or a “shed.” A duck represents a building that requires no signage because its purpose is self-evident. “New York, New York is a duck; the Luxor is a duck,” he noted. Conversely, a shed refers to spaces needing signs for identification.
“A decorated shed would be when you’re looking down Fremont Street, and you need signs to actually tell you which one is the Golden Gate, which one’s the Golden Nugget, which one is The D,” Berger elaborated. Essentially, a shed needs signage to help differentiate itself.
Fun Facts About Las Vegas
For those interested in Vegas’ allure, here are captivating facts about Sin City’s lights and architecture:
The Las Vegas Strip is the Brightest Place on Earth
As NASA Earth Observatory explains, “The Vegas Strip is reputed to be the brightest spot on Earth due to the concentration of lights on its hotels and casinos. In contrast, the tarmac of McCarran International Airport remains dark, as do the runways at Nellis Air Force Base on the northeastern fringe.”
Las Vegas is Home to the World’s Second-Tallest Ferris Wheel
The High Roller, located right on the Strip, stands 520 feet high, making it the world’s second-largest ferris wheel. The individual pods are air-conditioned and can accommodate 40 passengers each for a ride lasting 30 minutes.
There are More than 15,000 Miles of Neon Tubing in Las Vegas
According to PBS, the city’s bright signs contain around 15,000 miles of neon tubing, which is “enough to span the United States five times from coast to coast.”
The Stratosphere is the Tallest Observation Tower in the United States
To experience a magnificent view of Las Vegas, visit Stratosphere Tower, measuring 1,149 feet tall, thus making it the tallest observation tower in the nation. Guests can dine in the tower or even enjoy an adrenaline rush on the tower’s exhilarating roller coaster, which sits 1,000 feet above the ground.
Las Vegas is Home to the World’s Largest Hotel
With nearly 7,000 rooms, the MGM Grand holds the title of the world’s largest single hotel. To enhance your stay, consider one of its opulent suites, which feature private terraces and panoramic views to take in the mesmerizing lights from above.
